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Learn how to use target disk mode for high-speed file sharing between two Mac computers.

What is target disk mode and when should I use it?Target disk mode lets you share files between two Mac computers that are connected via their FireWire, Thunderbolt 2, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports. With target disk mode, one Mac appears as an external disk on the other Mac, allowing you to browse and copy files. This is useful when you need high transfer speeds or if the display on one of your computers isn't working and you need to get files from it.

As an alternative to target disk mode, you can use AirDrop to send content between two Mac computers wirelessly.

How to set up and use target disk modeTo get started, connect your two Mac computers with a FireWire, Thunderbolt, or USB-C cable that supports sufficient data transfer speeds. Then follow these steps:

If the Mac that you'll use as a disk is off, start it up while holding down the T key and skip to step four. If it's on, click the Apple () menu and choose System Preferences.Click Startup Disk and then click Target Disk Mode. If you see a closed lock at the lower left, click it and type your password to make the Target Disk Mode button available.A message asks "Are you sure you want to restart your computer in target disk mode?" Click Restart.After the Mac starts up in target disk mode, it appears as a disk icon on the desktop of the other Mac. Double-click the disk to open it and browse its files.Transfer files by dragging them to or from the disk.Eject the disk by dragging its icon to the Trash (the Trash icon changes to an Eject icon).To exit target disk mode, press and hold the power button on the Mac you used as a disk. Then disconnect the cable.

Target disk mode on MacBook with USB-C portMacBook (12-inch, Retina, Early 2015) and later support USB target disk mode using the following USB-C cables to transfer data:

USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 USB-C Cable (USB-C to USB-C): Use this cable to share files between a MacBook with a USB-C port and another MacBook with a USB-C port. USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 USB-A to USB-C Cable: Use this cable to share files between a Mac with USB-A port(s) and a MacBook with a USB-C port.These cables aren't currently available from Apple. The USB-C Charge Cable (2m) that came with your MacBook doesn't support target disk mode.

Target disk mode on MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) portsYou can use target disk mode to transfer data between MacBook Pro models with Thunderbolt 3 and other Mac computers.

To use target disk mode between a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 and another Mac notebook's USB-C port, connect the two computers with a USB-C cable such as the Belkin 3.1 USB-C to USB-C Cable.

To use target disk mode between a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 and another Mac with Thunderbolt, connect a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter to your MacBook Pro and then use a Thunderbolt cable to connect the adapter to the other Mac.

Use Migration Assistant to copy all of your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings to a new Mac from another computer.

Migration Assistant copies all of your files to your new Mac so that you don't have to copy your files manually.

If your files are currently on a Windows PC, follow the PC migration steps instead.If your new Mac is using OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 or earlier, follow the Mountain Lion migration steps instead.

Check software, settings, and powerInstall all available Apple software updates on both Mac computers. Install any updates for your third-party apps as well.Make sure that your old Mac is using OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8 or later. Make sure that your old Mac has a computer name: Choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing and check the Computer Name field.Connect both computers to AC power.

Connect the computers to each otherIf both computers are using macOS Sierra or later, just make sure that they're near each other and have Wi-Fi turned on. If either is using OS X El Capitan or earlier, connect them to the same network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.Or connect them using target disk mode and the appropriate cable or adapter. Then start up your old computer in target disk mode.Or connect your new Mac to a Time Machine backup of your old Mac.

Use Migration AssistantOn your new Mac:

Open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.Click Continue.When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.Click Continue.

On your old Mac:If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these four steps.

Open Migration Assistant.Click Continue.When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer to another Mac.Click Continue. On your new Mac:

When asked to select a Mac, Time Machine backup, or other startup disk, click the appropriate icon.Click Continue. You might see a security code.

On your old Mac:If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these two steps.

If you see a security code, make sure that it's the same code as on your new Mac.Click Continue.On your new Mac:

You should see a list of backups organized by date and time. Choose the backup that you want to use.Click Continue.

Continuing on your new Mac:

Select the information to transfer.Click Continue to start the transfer. If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish.

In the example above, John Appleseed is a macOS user account. If you transfer an account that has the same name as an account on your new Mac, you're asked to rename the old account or replace the one on your new Mac. If you rename, the old account appears as a separate user on your new Mac, with a separate home folder and login. If you replace, the old account overwrites the account on your new Mac, including everything in its home folder.

Quick Trick to Fix Your Internet #TheBigPlainEnglishComputerEBook by in home computer, tablet and smart cell phone tutor, mobile virus removal and repair specialist, dual certified teacher, website designer and SEO expert J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. of Honolulu Hawaii covering all of Oahu. Call or Text 808.224.1870 Text only for the rest of the U.S. forEnglish speaking remote computer support for help with Windows PCs, Surface tablets or Apple/Mac computers. Do It Yourselfers download Mr. Kirkham's Ebook

An in home computer client called me from the Kahala area of Honolulu Hawaii while I was in Illinois. Fortunately it wasn't necessary for me to repair her computer remotely . She just needed an old trick to repair her internet connection. Here's what I told her, this can be found on page 9 of

If you have just a modem, which is the device which connects you to the internet, unplug the power cord from the modem. The power cord for the modem is usually thin, black and has a circular connection end that plugs into the modem. Unplug it for 30 seconds.

Now plug your modem back in and restart your computer. Unplugging the modem clears the buffer. Restarting the computer does two things. It clears the cache and it gives the modem a chance to reconnect to the internet for impatient in home computer clients. An old trick to avoid explaining buffer build-up 😊.

If you have a WiFi router, which is a separate device to convert your wired internet access into wireless internet access, unplug your WiFi router at approximately the same time you unplug your modem. Plug your WiFi router in at approximately the same time as the modem. If you want to get real technical plug the modem in first.

You're Done!

This little trick works about 50% of time. If it doesn't work make sure your computer isn't in Airplane mode. That blocks internet access. If you still don't have internet access you have a software or hardware issue.

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This is already, as just a WIP (work in progress), THE BEST desktop reference manual for

Time saving tips

Maintenance techniques used by Rick Kirkham himself to keep computers fast, malicious software and spyware free and to EXTEND the life of computers and tablets.

Simple instructions to remove the most devastating computer viruses that even stumped Mr. Kirkham’s competition!

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